JORDAN ASSIGNS MCC POINT OF CONTACT, REASSIGNS

UNCLAS AMMAN 003772 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ELA STATE PASS AID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PGOV ECON JO MCC SUBJECT: JORDAN ASSIGNS MCC POINT OF CONTACT, REASSIGNS RESPONSIBILITIES, AND MAKES PROGRESS ON THRESHOLD PLAN REF: A) MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP 129 B) STATE 14171 ¶1. Over the course of August, Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit issued a series of decisions restructuring GOJ management of MCC issues. All responsibilities previously delegated to the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) have been transferred to the Prime Ministry, including the MCC Compact Development Unit and the MCC Indicators Unit. In addition, the PM appointed Ms. Tamam Al-Ghoul, a former Minister of Social Development, as head of the MCC Compact Development Unit and the overall MCC point of contact for the GOJ. Dr. Mohyeedein Touk, Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs, was named Chairman of the MCC Steering Committee. ¶2. The GOJ has also made progress towards implementing the Threshold plan. Following July's municipal elections, representatives from MoPIC, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior met with the contractor for the Local Governance Development Program to select municipalities for participation in the Threshold's component of Strengthening Municipal Governance. Regarding the Modernization of Customs Administration component, nine activities are currently underway, including the Gateway Control System, ASYCUDA World Implementation Support, IT Support, and development of the M&E System. The GOJ also launched an interactive website (www.lob.jo) for public comment and review of draft laws and regulations. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman HALE